WO1990002061A1

WO1990002061A1 - Insert for automobile dash top compartment

Info

Publication number: WO1990002061A1
Application number: PCT/US1989/003480
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Eugene Swift
Original assignee: Sta-Put Company, Inc.
Priority date: 1988-08-19
Filing date: 1989-08-15
Publication date: 1990-03-08

Abstract

An insert (26) for installation in a dashtop compartment (12) has a plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs (34, 36, 38) for subdividing the compartment. A channeled partition (30) on the insert is adapted to fit over a compartment divider (24). The partition and/or ribs may be provided with slots (34a, 34b, 34c) for holding articles such as pens and business cards. Means defining one or more receptacles for receiving beverage containers may also be included as part of the insert. The insert is molded as an integral structure from a soft, pliable rubber material having a surface texture tending to resist slippage of objects placed in the compartment; the texture and color of the insert minimize light reflections to reduce windshield glare.

Description

INSERT FOR AUTOMOBILE DASH TOP COMPARTMENT Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally t inserts for automobile dashboard wells or compartments an specifically to inserts for improving the retention o articles in the compartment to keep the articles fro sliding within the compartment and creating a potentia hazard for the driver of the automobile.

Background of the Invention Many of today's automobiles have dash top provided with integral, open, elongated wells o compartments for holding small articles such as keys coins, eyeglasses, pens and the like. The compartment are typically partitioned so as to define two or more sub compartments . The bottom and side surfaces of th compartment are made of the same material as the remainde of the dash top, that is, from vinyl or other hard, smoot material. As a result, there is a tendency for th articles to move about in the compartment during operatio of the automobile, and sharp turning or cornering of th vehicle can occasionally cause an article to slide out o the open compartment altogether. The driver's instinctiv reaction is to retrieve an ejected article, and suc distractions pose obvious safety hazards.

Another characteristic of many of the dash top of today's automobiles is their relatively smooth surface which reflect light, such as sunlight, onto th windshield, at times causing an annoying distractio compromising the safety of the operation of th automobile.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Accordingly, a principal object of the present invention is to provide a means for lining opentop dashboard compartments for providing improved retention of objects carried therein. Another object of the invention is to provide a dash top compartment insert means made of a suitable material for reducing distracting windshield glare.

Summary of the Invention The objects of the invention are attained by an insert adapted to be installed in the open dash top compartment, th,e insert being configured to carry small objects in slip resistant fashion and fabricated of a non- reflective material for minimizing windshield glare.

In accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the insert comprises a base contoured to match the shape of the compartment bottom and means projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the base and formed integrally therewith for dividing the insert to define at least two sub-compartments when the insert is in place within the dash compartment.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the insert dividing means includes a plurality of ribs, and one of these may be provided with one or more slots for conveniently holding small objects such as pens or pencils. One or more narrow slits may also be provided in the rib for retaining business cards or the like.

The insert is fabricated as an integral unit molded of a soft, pliable rubber material. The rubber material is preferably provided with a surface color and texture which minimizes light reflection.

Brief Description of the Drawings The various objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the ensuing detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

SUBSTITUTESHEET Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automobile interior showing the dash top compartment and an insert, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, adapted to be received by the compartment ;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation view, in cross section, of a portion of the dash top shown in Fig. 1 with the insert of the invention in place in the compartment; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the insert of Fig. 1; Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a portion of a modified version of the insert shown in Figs. 1-3;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a dash top compartment insert according to the present invention; Fig. 5 is perspective view of a third embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figs. 1-3 of the accompanying drawings, there is shown a safety pad or dashboard 10 of a typical present-day automobile, such as a Honda Civic.

The dash 10 includes an open, elongated, generally rectangular well defining a compartment 12 extending across a portion of the dash top between the instrument cluster housing 14 and the passenger side pillar 16. The compartment 12 includes contoured, longitudinally extending side walls 18, end walls 20 and a bottom 22.

The compartment 12 of the particular automobile model depicted includes a transverse divider 24 spanning the compartment and dividing it into two portions. The dashboard may be a padded structure covered with a relatively smooth vinyl or like plastic, and not only do

SUBSTITUTE SHEET articles placed in the compartment have a tendency to slide about during operation of the vehicle and to occasionally fall out of the compartment, but the dash top surf ace can cause annoying windshi el d gl are f rom 5 reflections . To solve these problems , there is provided an insert 26 for placement in the compartment. The insert is formed of a soft, pliable rubber material and may be conveniently molded as a single , integral unit . The insert provides a surface whose texture tends to resist ₁₀ slippage of the objects in the compartment. This texture, along with the color of the insert (preferably flat black) , also reduces light reflections .

The insert includes a flat sheet base 28 contoured to match the shape of the compartment 12. The ^■^5 insert 2 6 also includes a transverse partition 30 projecting upwardly from the upper surface 28a of the base 28 . The partition defines a channel 32 extending across the base , the partition being so positioned along the length of the insert and the channel 32 being so shaped 2 _Q that the channel mates with the divider 24 when the insert is installed in the compartment (Fig. 2 ) helping to hold the insert in place . The partition 30 divides the base into two main end sections 28b , 28c . In the specific embodiment under consideration, the section 28c may be 25 further subdivided by three transverse ribs , 34 , 36 and 38 formed integral with the base and proj ecting upwardly therefrom. The transverse ribs are parallel with each other and the partition 30.

One o f the ribs 34 may be larger than the 3 Q remaining two and may include article-holding slots 34a ,

34b and 34c for retaining items such as pens , pencils and business cards or the like. (See Fig. 1) .

Fig . 3A shows a version of the insert 26 of F igs . 1- 3 mod i f ied to include a pa ir o f arcuate 35 proj ections 39 on the upper surface 28a of the base 28 for holding a beverage container such as the cup C.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET Turning to Fig. 4, the specific alternativ embodiment of the insert shown there includes a base 40, channeled partition 42 defining two main end sections 40a, 40b of the base. The section 40b has three transvers 5 ribs 44, 46 and 48, the rib 46 being larger than the remaining two and including article-retaining slots 46a, 46b. The other section 40a includes a longitudinall extending rib 50 terminating at one extremity in a short transverse rib 52 so as to form a small receptacle for _Q miscellaneous objects such as coins.

In Fig. 5, there is shown an insert in accordance with yet another embodiment of the invention, divided into several sections by two large transverse ribs 60 and 62 with article-holding slots 60a, 60b and 62a as ₅ already described, a small transverse rib 64 and a longitudinal rib 66 extending between the large transverse ribs 60 and 62.

In the specific embodiment shown in Fig. 6, a pair of slotted, channeled partitions 70 and 72 are _Q connected by a longitudinal rib 74 thereby subdividing the section of the insert between the partitions 70, 72. This embodiment further includes a front, upwardly projecting wall 76 extending the length of the insert and terminating in short transverse walls 78 providing for additional 5 retention of objects placed in the dash compartment. Each of the channeled partitions 70, 72 is adapted to fit over a compartment divider.

In the embodiment of Fig. 7, the insert includes a stepped base 80 having an upper section 80a and a lower _Q section 80b. This insert is further provided with a slotted transverse rib 82, a pair of smaller transverse ribs 84, and a wall 86 along the front margin of base section 80a.

In Fig. 8, the insert of that embodiment 5 includes a pair of parallel transverse ribs 90. Between the ribs 90 and formed integrally with them is a block 92 defining, in this particular example, a pair of generally cylindrical wells 94 for holding beverage containers.

SUBSTITUTESHEET The specific embodiments described herein are illustrative of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not intended to be limited to the exact constructions shown and described. Accordingly, the scope of the invention as claimed should be construed as encompassing all modifications and equivalents.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An insert adapted to be received by an open top compartment formed in the dashboard of an automobile, the compartment having side walls and a bottom, the insert comprising: a base contoured to match the shape of the compartment bottom, said base having an upper surface; and means projecting upwardly from the upper surface of the base and formed integrally therewith for dividing the insert to define at least two sub-compartments when the insert is in place within the dash compartment.

2. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, in which: the insert dividing means includes at least one article-receiving slot.

3. The invention, as set forth in claim 2, in which: the insert dividing means includes a plurality of ribs, at least one of which includes the article- receiving slot.

4. The invention, as set forth in claim 3, in which: the ribs are disposed parallel to each other.

5. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, which includes: means projecting from the upper surface of the base for defining a receptacle for a beverage container.

SUBSTITUTESHξET

6. The invention, as set forth in claim 4, in which: the insert dividing means includes at least one rib disposed perpendicular to the parallel ribs.

7. The invention, as set forth in claim 1, in which: the insert is fabricated as an integral molded unit of a soft, pliable rubber material.

8. The invention, as set forth in claim 1 , in which: the rubber material has a surface color and texture minimizing light reflection.

9. An insert adapted to be received by an open top, elongated, generally rectangular compartment formed in the dash of an automobile, the compartment having opposed longitudinal side walls, end walls and a botto and a transverse divider projecting upwardly from th compartment bottom and extending between the side walls t define adjacent sub-compartments, the insert comprising: a generally rectangular, elongated flat bas sheet contoured to match the shape of the compartment an including a first section adapted to lie on one side o the compartment divider and a second section adapted t lie on the other side of the compartment divider; and a transverse, upwardly projecting partitio connecting the first and second base sections, th partition defining a transverse channel adapted to engag the compartment divider.

SUBSTITUTESHEET

10. The invention, as set forth in claim 9, including: a plurality of transverse upstanding ribs, at least one of the ribs having article-holding slots, the ribs defining sub-compartments.

11. The invention, as set forth in claim 10, further including: at least one longitudinally-extending rib between adjacent transverse ribs for defining additional sub-compartments .

12. The invention, as defined in claim 10, which includes: means extending between a pair of adjacent ribs for defining at least one receptacle configured to receive a beverage container.

13. The invention, as set forth in claim 9, in which : the insert is molded as an integral unit of a soft, pliable rubber material.

14. The invention, as set forth in claim 13, in which : the rubber material has surface color and texture minimizing light reflection.

SUBSTITUTE HEET